Download our free mobile app

Mythical Astronomy of Ice and Fire

10 Favorites

We believe that George R. R. Martin has put a lot of effort and thought into creating a deeper dimension of archetype and symbol in his writing. He’s created connections between past and future, between sky and ground. He’s built on classic figures from world mythology and twisted them around in new and incredible ways to fashion his own archetypal characters whose divine roles are played out by the characters in the story. He’s done all of this not only to be artistic and clever, but because he’s actually participating in a grand tradition of esoteric, symbolic art. Keeping this tradition alive is of critical importance and tremendous value to society, and that is why I believe this facet of A Song of Ice and Fire is so worthy of study. This podcast is intended to be our vehicle to explore these inner workings, and it is fueled by enthusiasm, yours and mine.

Language:

English

Episodes

It's an Arya Thing (Weirwood Goddess 2)

7/20/2017

More

This is the long-awaited Arya episode! Arya Stark is a killer with a fine collection of death goddess archetypes such as the Nightwolf, the Ghost in Harrenhal, or a Faceless Man, but she also symbolizes a child of the forest. This is of critical importance to our overarching quest to unravel the mysteries of the War for the Dawn and the Long Night, because Arya is playing into the Nissa Nissa archetype in a very specific way. As you will see, the implications are dramatic: Nissa Nissa may...

Duration: 02:43:47

Venus of the Woods (Weirwood Compendium 5)

5/24/2017

More

In the first episode of Mythical Astronomy, we learned that NIssa Nissa correlates to the moon which was slain by the comet. That's why we call her a moon maiden, and the same goes for all the characters who play the role of Nissa Nissa - they are all types of moon maidens. Now, as we track Azor Ahai through the weirwood forest, we've come upon a new revelation about Nissa Nissa - she's also a weirwood tree maiden. A weirwood goddess, even. Azor Ahai wed Nissa Nissa, and I think he 'wed...

Duration: 02:51:54

In a Grove of Ash (Weirwood Compendium 4)

4/21/2017

More

The alternate title for this episode could be "Azor Ahai goes into the weirwoodnet," because that's essentially the topic. Of course, when we say "Azor Ahai" in this sense, we are talking about the group or tribe of horned lords of which Azor Ahai seems to have been a part. We've been picking up hints about Garth people or horned lords being trapped inside the weirwoodnet, and we are going to figure out just exactly what that means. We will be attempting to answer one of those old...

Duration: 02:18:20

Garth of the Gallows (Weirwood Compendium 3)

3/30/2017

More

Our exploration of the weirwoods goes deep into the heart of the forest to uncover the secrets of the greenseers. We'll be discussing Odin's hanging on Yggdrasil and the larger topic of death transformations accomplished with the help of magical trees. Lots of action at the Inn of the Crossroads, lots of nuts and bolts greenseer talk, a bit of Tully trout-fishing, and we'll even hang a Frey while we're at it. Right at the beginning, we'll have our official Mythical Astronomy breakdown of...

Duration: 02:02:58

A Burning Brandon (Weirwood Compendium 2)

2/20/2017

More

In Part 2 of the Weirwood Compendium, we will finally be ripping into the symbolism of one of the main characters in the story, Brandon Stark. As the primary recipient of the fire of the gods in ASOIAF, Bran finds himself right at the center of the tangled web of mythology that encompasses both greenseers and Lightbringer. In this episode, we will be visiting several towers of note which Bran is tied to, and we will try not to get struck by lightning as we climb up to the heavens with the...

Duration: 02:37:06

Sacred Order of Green Zombies: The Long Night's Watch

12/22/2016

More

Part 3 of our series on all things related to undead skinchangers, the last hero, Jon Snow, and Green Men turns our attention towards the companions of the last hero, who were almost certainly the original black brothers of the Night's Watch. The is ample evidence to suggest that not only was the last hero an undead skinchanger, but so to were his companions. The origins of the Night's Watch and the humanity's victory over the Long Night are rooted in greenseer magic, and we'll attempt to...

Duration: 02:13:13

Sacred Order of Green Zombies: King of Winter, Lord of Death

12/2/2016

More

Resurrected fertility gods turn the seasons by dying in the autumn and resurrecting in the spring - but what happens if they are awakened too early, in the dead of winter? Skinchanger zombies, that's what happens. You get the King of Winter.
The matching text to this podcast can be found at lucifermeanslightbringer.com
Thanks to Martin Lewis for the amazing vocal performances. Check out his Echoes of Ice and Fire for more performances and essays related to ASOIAF.
Thanks to Animals as...

Duration: 01:10:59

Sacred Order of Green Zombies: the Last Hero and the King of Corn

11/28/2016

More

We attempt to answer the question, "What's with all the zombies in ASOIAF?" by exploring how George R. R. Martin has tied his concept of resurrection to the real-world folklore of the corn king and the horned god. It turns out Jon will be a zombie for a reason.
The matching text to this podcast can be found at lucifermeanslightbringer.com.
Thanks to Martin Lewis for the amazing vocal performances. Check out his Echoes of Ice and Fire for more performances and essays related to...

Duration: 02:22:42

Q&A (live): Great Empire of the Dawn

10/25/2016

More

So many of you commented on our Great Empire of the Dawn episode that we did with History of Westeros that we decided to do a follow up live episode based on your questions and comments. We recorded it Sat Oct. 22 and you can watch the video version on History of Westeros's Youtube channel.

Duration: 02:05:34

The Great Empire of the Dawn

10/9/2016

More

Our long-awaited joint episode with History of Westeros on the long lost Great Empire of the Dawn is here! We're talking about Dawn Age dragonlords, ancient bloodlines, the Long Night and Azor Ahai and how they relate to Westeros and the Last Hero... we'll be giving you plenty to talk about. You don't need to have listened to any of my prior material to enjoy this, so share away. The video of this episode is available on History of Westeros's youtube page. This episode is based on an essay...

Duration: 02:47:34

The Grey King and the Sea Dragon (Weirwood Compendium 1)

8/26/2016

More

Welcome to the Weirwood Compendium, where we will begin to reveal the secrets of the greenseers through the use of mythical astronomy analysis. Our journey to the heart of the weirwoodnet actually begins with the Ironborn mythology, believe it or not, for the Ironborn folklore is actually shot through with covert references to weirwood. Whether it's the weirwood staff of the greatest Drowned Priest, Galon Whitestaff, or the ribs of Nagga, which are almost certainly petrified weirwood, or...

Duration: 02:35:20

Ch 5: Tyrion Targaryen

5/22/2016

More

Our first character-centric breakdown takes up the theory that Tyrion is a Targaryen bastard by examining two of his symbolic personas - the gargoyle and the twisted monkey demon. We'll dive into mysteries such as "why are Dragonstone and Winterfell the only two castles with gargoyles on them?" and "Is there a connection between the Last Hero and Azor Ahai?" We'll also ponder one of the first examples of mythical astronomy in the books, Bran's fall from the tower. Featuring the vocal...

Ch 4: The Mountain vs. the Viper and the Hammer of the Waters

5/1/2016

More

Chapter review, Mythical Astronomy style: we rip into the trial by combat scene, of the most detailed examples of mythical astronomy in the series. We'll explore the symbolism of Oberyn Martel and Ser Gregor Clegane, and we will finally answer the question about what the Hammer of the Waters really was, and when it happened. Guest appearances by John the Fiddler, Tyrion the "giant" of Lannister, Sansa the medusa-maiden, the Last Hero, the sword Widow's Wail, and the purple wedding. As...

Duration: 02:56:22

Asshai-by-the-Shadow

4/5/2016

More

A special edition of the podcast - we join up with Aziz and Ashaya from History of Westeros for a joint episode on all things Asshai! Call it the 'Ancient Mythical History of Westeros (and sometimes Asshai).' There is no accompanying essay for this one - podcast only - but the video version of this is available on the History of Westeros Youtube channel, if you'd like to watch (we recorded live). Enjoy!

Ch 3: Waves of Night and Moon Blood

2/3/2016

More

In this episode, we are going to explain: moon blood and a maiden's flowering; Oathkeeper's waves of night and blood; Melisandre's black and bloody tide, Jon Snow's rivers of black ice and Drogo's oily river of darkness; starry cloaks and decapitated bulls; dragon eclipses, lunar eclipses, and solar eclipses; dark stars and black hole moons; black iron roses and black iron ravens. We'll also ponder the possibility of an undead Azor Ahai and his army of zombies, not to mention undead...

Ch 2: The Bloodstone Emperor Azor Ahai

1/5/2016

More

The legend of Azor Ahai says that he cracked the moon when he forged Lightbringer. Does this make Azor Ahai "the bad guy?" He stabbed his wife too, and to work blood magic. Is blood magic heroic, or abomination? And what's with this Bloodstone Emperor guy, who worshiped a black meteor during the Long Night? Is there a link between this black meteor, the meteors of the moon explosion, and the greasy black stone? And what does this tell us about the nature of Lightbringer? Follow along with...

Duration: 02:22:17

Ch 1: Astronomy Explains the Legends of Ice and Fire

10/23/2015

More

What was the cause of the Long Night? Who was Azor Ahai, and what was Lightbringer? What is the meaning of the relationship between comets, dragons, and flaming swords? We'll attempt to answer these questions and a few others as we get blood on our podcasting sword for the first time. Follow along with the text of the episode on lucifermeanslightbringer.com, where you can also find my other essays. A big thanks to Animals as Leaders for allowing us the use of their music.